SALYERSVILLE — Returning to the win column, Magoffin County pulled away to defeat Letcher County Central 75-63 in its home opener on Thursday, Dec. 7.
Excelling offensively, Magoffin County shot 51.7 percent (30-of-58) from the field. The Hornets made five of 15 three-point field goal attempts.
Magoffin County shot 52.6 percent (10-of-19) from the free throw line in its win.
Aden Barnett scored 17 points to lead the Hornets. Barnett led four Magoffin County scorers in double figures.
Accompanying Barnett in double figures as part of a balanced offensive attack for the Hornets, Walker Russell scored 15 points, Noah Sammons netted 13 points and Ethan Salyer added 11 points.
Narrowly missing double figures for Magoffin County, Zane Whitaker scored nine points and Grayson Whitaker netted eight points.
Rounding out Magoffin County’s scoring, Reed Meadows chipped in two points.
Pacing Magoffin County in a key category, Russell and Zane Whitaker pulled down seven rebounds apiece.
Letcher County Central shot 57.4 percent (27-of-47) from the field. The Cougars connected on six of 17 three-point field goal attempts.
Letcher County Central connected on three of four free throw attempts in the early-season game.
Peyton Dixon led Letcher County Central with a game-high double-double, scoring 25 points and pulling down 15 rebounds for the Cougars.
Joining Dixon in double figures for Letcher County Central, Jason McCool netted 19 points.
Narrowly missing double figures for the Cougars, Gavin Hamilton scored nine points.
Chipping in offensively, Cameron Hayes (four points), Lucas Slone (four points) and Brett Smith (two points) provided Letcher County Central’s additional scoring.
Magoffin County and Letcher County Central aren’t scheduled to meet again in the 2023-24 boys’ high school basketball season.
